SEDITIOUS WHISTLING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 5

SEDITIOUS WHISTLING

A year or so ago there took place a trial in Barr, Alsace, which would have been most amusing had not a man's liberty been in jeopardy. It appears that ono day, in tho streets of that place, a labourer at work had been cheerfully whistling. Suddenly a gendarme, who hr.d been with, in hearing, appeared at tho man's side. Tho workman, however, did not observe the oliioer, and continued to whistle his tune.

"You are under arrest,” said the gendarme, placing his hand on the unsuspecting labourer's, shoulder. "What for?” demanded the astonished toiler. “’For seditious conduct," explained tho officer. "You have bean whistling 'La Marseillaise.'" "La Marseillaise,” because it is the French revoluntionary air, is forbidden in Alaac®, Th® workman at onco indignantly denied tho allegation, explaining that ha had not been whistling "La Marseillaise," but the march of the Biunswick Hussars, "i used to belong to that regiment," said he, "and that is our regimental air." The gendarme, however, who as a German prided himself on Ins knowledge of music, insisted that ho well acquainted wild berth of the nines in question, and that ho could not be mistaken. Accordingly ho look tho offender into custody, and tho man was in duo courno of time put on trial on tho charge of having whistled a seditious tune in a public place. I .both the accused and the genaarme told their stories to the presiding Magistrate with ovsry appearance of truth and confidence. Moreover, as tho workmen Bed tho reputation of being an honest and loyal man, tho Court was reach perplexed, in this prccicament, adjournment was taken to the council room adjoining. There the accused and the accuser were summoned in turn, and tile workman was commanded to whistle the march of tho Brunswick Hussars, while the omcer was ordorco to render “La Marseillaise." Bach did his best, but the airs proved in tho ear of lha Court to bo so much ■unlike that it was regarded as h>g<i.y improbable that ure gendarme could have hem mistaken. The accused was therefore sent lo prison, but h<« general bearing, not to speak of his ciesiicnt whisi.re.g, ii.ipre s et tho Court to lavouranly that he was sentenced to oii.y three days' coiuinerncnt.